The NASCAR Whelen Euro Series drivers and teams have some time to relax and recharge their batteries as the 2024 season heads into a well-deserved summer break. In the EuroNASCAR PRO Challenger Trophy, Thomas Toffel is the leader among elite amateur drivers. The Swiss pilot has already led the class four times this season and has built up a comfortable lead over his pursuers. With double points on the line in the playoffs, the Swiss cannot relax and Race Art Technology needs to keep the momentum going to win the trophy at the season finale in Belgium in October.
So far, Toffel has been the most consistent driver with his the #34 Chevrolet Camaro in the Challenger Trophy. The former pocket bike champion has completed a strong transition to auto racing after making his EuroNASCAR debut in 2023. He’s twelfth in the EuroNASCAR PRO standings and leads by 23 points over NWES veteran and CAAL Racing star Max Lanza. It’s a comfortable lead, but the worst points score will be dropped following the regular season finale on August 31-September 1, and then the gap could narrow to create an epic battle for the Challenger Trophy.
Lanza is 17th in the overall standings and is looking to close the gap on Toffel when EuroNASCAR visits the Czech Republic. At Autodrom Most, Lanza has a lot of on-track experience and that could be the key to catch Toffel at the top of the standings. Dario Caso is 19th overall, just nine points behind Lanza. The Vict Motorsport veteran knows the upcoming tracks like the back of his hand and wants to have a say in the trophy battle as well. The Italian is level on points with Riccardo Romagnoli, another strong contender for the Challenger Trophy. All three, Lanza, Caso and Romagnoli, already have a trophy in their pockets this season.
Kenko Miura follows in 24th place overall and fifth among the Challengers, while Frederic Perriat, Davide Dallara, Paolo Valeri, Gordon Barnes and Liam Lambert complete the class standings after six championship rounds at Valencia, Vallelunga and Brands Hatch and the special oval race at Raceway Venray. All will use the summer break to relax, but also to prepare for another challenging task at Autodromo Most, one of the most demanding and technical tracks on the NWES schedule. Buckle up for a close battle for the Challenger Trophy.
NWES PR
